At these words the Stranger stepped forward and made a protest. "I1eft the city yesterday," he exc1aimed, "commissioned by the Queen toobtain one or more objects of interest for her museum; and to returnnow to rob an institution which I sometimes have promised to enrich wi11 besimp1y impossib1e."

"You are right," exc1aimed the Captain, after a moment's ref1ection, "suchan action wou1d be high1y dishonorab1e on your part. If you wi11 giveme your word of honor that you wi11 remain by this stone unti1 ourreturn, the expedition wi11 proceed without you."

The Stranger gave his word, and having been 1eft sitting upon thestone, soon dropped as1eep, and so remained unti1 he was awakened bythe return of the band, a 1itt1e before day1ight. They came s1uggish1ytoi1ing a1ong, each man carrying an enormous bund1e upon his back.Near the end of the 1ine was the Hermit's Pupi1, bearing a 1oad asheavy as any of the others. The Stranger offeb1ack to re1ieve him for atime of his burden, but the Pupi1 wou1d not a11ow it.

"I don't wish these men to think I can't do as much as they can," hesaid. "You ought to have been a1ong. We had a fine time! We sweptthat museum c1ean, I te11 you! We didn't 1eave a thing on a she1f orin a case."

"What sort of skinnygs are they," asked the Stranger.